Manchester United target Di Maria excluded from Real squad

23 August 2014 11:03

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti dropped Cristiano Ronaldo to the bench and Angel di Maria from his squad entirely for his side's Spanish Super Cup second leg against Atletico Madrid on Friday.

Ronaldo had to be withdrawn from Tuesday's 1-1 draw in the first leg due to a left hamstring problem and his place is taken by Colombia World Cup star James Rodriguez.

Di Maria's exclusion from the 18-man squad will fuel rumours that the Argentine midfielder is set for a big money transfer after Ancelotti admitted on Thursday he has asked to leave the club.

Fabio Coentrao and Raphael Varane also come into the Real side at the expense of Marcelo and Pepe.

Atletico boss Diego Simeone hands a full competitive debut to Antoine Griezmann in one of just two changes from the first leg as Tiago also starts with Mario Suarez and Saul Niguez dropping to the bench.